Tell me about towel terrain boards

[Wargamer Dave]

I've noticed a lot of boards that use towelling instead of flock. Is it actual pieces of towel or thicker teddy bear fur? Any tutorials - my Google skills failed me.

[Ogrob]

I've played on a table covered in grass made out of teddy fur. Not a fan myself, figures just don't stand well on the material.

[Norm]

I am pretty certain that this blogger uses towelling and would be happy to share method.

LINK - http://talesfromghq.blogspot.co.uk/2017/09/the-battle-of-coven-heath.html

[jp1885]

I've played VBCW skirmish games on an actual towel (colour green and the exact same size as my dining room table.
Would show you some photos, but alas Photobucket won't let me (and then I deleted my account in a fit of pique).

[Wargamer Dave]

The Perry brothers tables use it and it looks quite good

[tin shed gamer]

I use towelling cloth for water borne games .Just light dab of khaki here and there,plus some watered down bleach (colour changes don't wear off).

[SABOT]

In my experience the fur needs shaving and there is no problem standing single figures upon it - mine are based on pennies.

I also use towelling. Easy to highlight and no problems with standing figures upon it.

[Hammers]

Nice looking usages all over. I shall give it a go on some projects.  In my view static grass just doesn't fit the bill.

[pistolpete]

I've heard of various velvetteen fabrics being used but never a towel.  Now I'll have to keep a look out.

[levied troop]

Towelling can often look very good, normally I'd say it is stuck down to boards to create the texture but it's probably possibly to buy very large sheets.  I'd suggest dyeing to get the main colour and a light dry-brush to bring up the highlights.

Teddy bear fur tends to be longer and needs shaving back with a cheap beard trimmer; also it's normally polyester and can't be dyed (at least not at a hobbyist level) and it can be a bugger to paint.

I think the teddy bear wins on overall look when it's done properly (something I've not quite managed yet) but towelling examples I've seen, and that last photo is a good example, often look very good for less effort ( and less risk of disaster).

There's a few pictures here:
http://thatpurpleworld.blogspot.co.uk/2017/07/loose-ass-summer-2017-day-one.html

from a game some of us did earlier this year that contrasts my teddy bear roll with Purple's towelling terrain boards and for looks I do prefer the latter.

[Schogun]

Can toweling be shaved to form roads and rivers? There's no backing like teddy bear fur.

[SABOT]

Yes it can. I have shaved a track and then mixed pva and sharpes sand with dark earth paint. Once mixed have applied - let dry - dry brushed. It retains its flexibility and looks good. Note: I haven't stuck my towelling down as I want to use variable countours underneath - I have used giant bath towels so far and in some cases have butted towelling up against fur to show different lengths of scrub and grass etc.

[Jeff965]

Great looking terrain Sabot, what paints are you using to get that lovely green colour?

[SABOT]

Just some cheap large plastic packaged  acrylic paints from the works in England. I mix everything so have added yellow to some forest greens.

[Jeff965]

Ok thanks, I'll keep an eye out next time I'm in the range or hobby craft see if I can come up with something. Do you protect it in any way?